Author's notes:
Standard disclaimer. It all belongs to JKR. Thank you for letting us play with your toys.
I will continue to use the occasional song lyric in the story and will give credit at the time when needed.
This is the seventh book in my Slytherin Harry series and covers Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts.
Book 1: Harry Potter and the Muggle's Daughter
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Book 3: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book 4: Harry Potter and the Blood Traitor's Daughter
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book 6: Harry Potter; Flesh, Blood and Bone
Book 7: Harry Potter and the Lady of the Lake
If you haven't read books 1-6 you won't know what's going on. But the bonus is you've got six completed books before you even get to this one!
Fair warning, this story will continue to be dark and have mature language and situations in it.
Harry Potter and the Lady of the Lake
Chapter XXVIII
Even the Sugarquills
With the second round of the talent competition over and the resumption months away yet, the student's attention quickly turned the upcoming Christmas hols and the Yule ball set to occur the night before the students left for home. Though it sounded as if a large contingent would be staying at the school. Voldemort had been mostly quiet since the taking of Azkaban and the longer things went without movement on his part, the greater the tension in the outside world became. Not even the castle walls were enough to prevent some of that tension seeping in.
Of course, while it was doing wonders for Harry's piece of mind it probably didn't help the rest of the students to have the constant reminder of their guard silently trailing along everywhere he and his friends went. There was also Mr Granger's presence as he and Tonks roamed the halls together. Of course he was there under an alias and no one knew he couldn't perform magic without the suit and wand Harry's mum and Mali had fabricated, but everyone knew Mr Harris was the new head of castle security, charged with ensuring the castle defenses would repel any possible attack by Voldemort and his death eaters. To everyone but Harry and his friends, some of whom had been living a life under threat of Voldemort for as long as they could really remember, it was a sobering daily reminder that everything was not right.
"If I may have your attention, please." Harry paused his hand and the bacon that was currently traveling from his plate to his mouth. A quick glance at Daphne got a shake of the head in response. Hermione and Neville also appeared to not have any idea of why Professor McGonagall might wish to address the school. "I have a short announcement to make that I think will please you all." She paused again to ensure she had everyone's attention. "With the ball and the winter break fast approaching, myself and the staff know many of you were hoping a visit to the village might occur so that you might be able to make a purchase or two. While I am sorry to disappoint you with news this will not be happening; at this very moment the village is making its way to the quidditch stadium. Beginning at noon, a Christmas market, complete with food options will be at your disposal." She stopped and started to sit down again before pausing. "I do apologize to the Slytherin quidditch team for their lost practice time."
"Son of a bitch," Ginny muttered, tossing her napkin on the table. "That's twice now!"
"That is all," Professor McGonagall finished and retook her seat. She'd barely done so when the excited chatter of the student body erupted.
Ginny turned on Harry who leaned warily away from his wife. She'd been getting more and more obsessive as the season approached and had been muttering about the idiocy of having the first matches occur only the third weekend back after the term break. "Did you know about this?" she demanded.
"No way. I'd have told you so you could have moved practice to another day."
Ginny watched him a moment longer till she determined she was satisfied with his answer before turning on her other friends with prefect status. Daphne leaned away from her while Hermione slid down the bench to put more space between them; never mind there was already the table there. "News to me," Hermione said.
"I had no idea," Daphne said.
"Nada," Neville said.
Ginny pressed her lips together tightly. "Damnit."
"You could use the room," Hermione offered.
"Bill changed the security spells after the first two weeks when we started practicing outside. They can't get there. And I had five hours on the field. Now I haven't even got two before I have to break off and let them go."
"Oh," Hermione said meekly.
"Bet she did this on purpose," Ginny muttered, glowering at McGonagall. She spotted Michael Eddinger getting to his feet from the Slytherin table. "Oi, where do you think you're going, Edge?"
"Erm, common room?" he asked.
"Wrong," she said. "We're flying on the front lawn." He stared at her. "Now," she barked.
Edge jumped. "Right, I'll get everyone rounded up." He hurried away, grabbing various members of the team as he went.
Harry shoved the piece of bacon still in his hand in his mouth and jumped up. "See you all later," he said, moving to help Edge. Ginny stood and walked quickly out of the hall.
The remaining four of her friends let out a slow breath. "Quidditch makes people mental," Hermione said.
"Word," Neville agreed.
"Amen," Daphne and Luna said at the same time.
About four hours later Harry was wandering the impromptu market with Ginny on his arm and a cup of hot apple cider in his hand. He had to marvel at scene before him. Magic could do some astonishing things in a very short period of time and the market was a prime example. Bright, garishly coloured tents in dozens of different colours had been erected by the vendors to hawk everything from quills, inkpots and parchment to dresses and robes for the ball to cider, hot chocolate, piping hot pastries and meat pies. Banners waved from the tops of tents, a juggler wandered about, even a bard, Harry had heard was going by the name of Weird Al Yankovic, was holding court down one end of the pitch; regaling people with horribly messed up renditions of popular songs that had people in stiches from laughing so hard.
"Shall we go in?" Harry asked. He nodded towards the Gladrags tent.
Ginny shrugged. "I've a dress for the ball already."
"There's another ball in a few months."
"I've a dress for that one as well."
"You do?"
"Yep," she said, popping the P.
"When did you get that?"
"The mums brought like a hundred of them to tea a few weeks ago."
"The mums?" Harry asked.
"Mum, Andi, Mali, Lady Greengrass, the mums," Ginny provided.
"Ahh," Harry said. "Still, can't hurt to look, can it?" He pulled Ginny into the tent and came up short barely a pace in. The gaggle of girls present made a hippogriff migration look poorly attended.
"Speak a little too soon, did we?" Ginny teased.
"I'm sure what you've got is good," Harry said turning around and ushering her out.
Ginny giggled. "I won't complain about avoiding that crowd." She and Harry turned in place, trying to decide where to go instead.
"Quidditch or Karlies?" Harry asked.
"Quidditch, then Chocolate," Ginny countered, pulling him along.
Cinder's tail twitched with anticipation against Luna's back as she and Hermione waited for the vendor to hand over their purchase. "Thank you," Luna said when he handed Hermione the skewer of raw beef cubes. Cinder blew out a small puff of flames causing the man to jump back.
"H–happy to – to, Luv," he stammered.
"Honestly," Hermione muttered as they walked away. "You're like the most docile creature ever." She pulled a piece of meat from the skewer. "Nose bump first," she said. The dragon darted her nose out and rubbed it against Hermione's before eagerly retreating. She was so excited she was picking her front feet up in a kneading motion on Luna's shoulder. Hermione gave her the treat and pulled another cube off the skewer. "Well slow down and actually taste it," she teased. Cinder merely licked her lips and watched her expectantly. Hermione sighed and handed over the treat. "Honestly, there's more meat here than you weigh. Where do you even put it?" Cinder blew a jet of flame into the air; drawing a shriek of surprise from the witch manning the tent they were strolling past. "Ahh," Hermione said. "Fire takes a lot of energy?" Cinder blew another jet of flame into the sky. The witch drew her wand and watched them nervously. Hermione fed her another piece of the meat. "Now look what you've done. She's afraid you're going to burn her wares." Cinder tipped her head and shrugged. Really, she lifted her left front shoulder and shrugged. "Did you learn that from Harry?" Hermione demanded. Cinder looked up at the sky, shifting her gaze everywhere but to Hermione as she tried to play innocent. "The goddess help us," Hermione signed. Cinder turned, just angling her head enough to see Hermione out of the corner of her eye. She held up a piece of meat. "Last one." Fast as a viper Cinder's head darted out and snatched it from her fingers. "Oh!" Hermione squeaked, jerking her hand back. "Why you are just the cheeky little thing today, aren't you." Cinder merely looked at her while twitching her tail back and forth, her teeth bared in what amounted at her attempt to smile. Hermione laughed. "Come here you. Cinder took wing from Luna's shoulder and alighted on Hermione's where she rubbed her head affectionately against Hermione's cheek.
Luna beamed at them both and stretched up to peck Hermione's lips. "I love you."
"Love you more," Hermione countered.
Luna tapped her nose with a finger. "Doubtful, but I'll let you win this time." Hermione took her hand and they turned to the woman who was still watching Cinder warily.
"I assure you, she's perfectly friendly."
"Is that a real dragon?"
"Cinder is part of a new breed," Luna answered. "She's highly intelligent and the sweetest little thing."
The witch watched Cinder curiously. The dragon though didn't seem interested in her or in making a new friend and was snuffling about in Hermione's hair as she sought a comfortable position for a nap. "Where did you get her?" the witch asked.
"She found me," Luna answered. "She's actually my familiar."
"You mean, like, she's bonded with you?"
"Yes. The bonding is recognized by the ministry. She's considered part of my being and me hers."
"Goodness," the woman said. "The things you don't know."
"Are quite a lot, actually, aren't they," Luna said.
"Indeed."
"Do you spin this yourself?" Hermione asked, "shifting through a basket of skeins of yarn.
"That's from my own flock," the woman answered. "Specially breed so the wool won't itch. I shear them myself, card, spin and dye it."
"Sold," Hermione said. "I'll take the lot."
"The lot?" the woman asked, surprised and clearly pleased.
"This is all so beautiful it would be impossible to choose," Hermione said.
"You don't knit," Luna said.
"I can learn," Hermione answered. "And I have at least three people to buy gifts for who do."
"Very true," Luna agreed. She focused on the woman. "Do you have more?"
Neville and Daphne quietly perused the cases before she turned to the proprietor. "I suppose it would be rather foolish to ask if you had any wedding bands with you?"
He grimaced slightly. "Afraid I didn't expect much call for that today."
"No," Daphne agreed. "Of course not." She gave him a smile before turning back to Neville. "We can go if you—"
"What do you think of this?" he interrupted her.
Daphne joined him at the case. Inside was a clock. Though it wasn't really a clock at all, but four, hour glasses all floating without any support within a single glass tube set upon a stand like one might find with a ship in a bottle. The sand in each of the glasses spilled at varying rates and as they watched the sand in the furthest right glass ran out and it flipped itself over. Above the piece a translucent golden number changed from four to five.
"Minutes, right?" Neville asked. "The one to the left of it is tens, then hours through nine and the furthest left is just a one. When the sand quits running it sits in the bottom for ten, eleven and twelve, before flipping over again, right?"
"Correct," the proprietor said. "I wasn't quite sure about the piece. It does take some thought to figure what it's supposed to mean and I'm not as enamored of how the numbers are actually displayed as I might like, but I'm not quite sure what to do differently either. I'd thought to perhaps have the sand change colours for the different numbers but that only makes determining the actual time more difficult."
"I think it's brilliant," Neville said.
"Then you shall have it," Daphne said.
He turned quickly. "That's not what I was—"
Daphne silenced him with a finger over his lips. "It will set on the mantle in our sitting room. The numbers above, with the black stone of the chimney behind, will show like flame. It will be perfect."
Neville took her hand in his. "As you wish, my Lady."
She beamed at him. "Could you wrap it and have it sent to Longbottom Manor please."
"Of course, Lady Longbottom," he said.
"It's Greengrass just yet, but thank you, good sir."
He bowed his head. "Apologies."
The two left the tent a few minutes later with Daphne holding his arm. "Well," she said, "not a wedding band for you, but something quite unique, yes."
"Thank you, Daphne."
"You're very welcome, Neville." He steered her towards the Honeydukes tent, holding the flap back for her to enter. "You do know how to spoil me," she said. She plucked a basket from the table as they went past.
"Well, for the most part I just watch Harry and do the opposite."
Daphne laughed. "Oddly enough, that actually isn't the best strategy."
"No," Neville agreed. "He does know how to treat her. Actually, he knows how to treat all of you."
"He does," Daphne agreed. "But I shall deny ever saying that to my grave."
Neville kissed her forehead. "And I shall never contradict you on that claim."
She laughed. "Honestly, I'm not certain just which of you is teaching the other." She walked around the tent with Neville following while she added various bars, milk and dark, with nuts, without, some with fruit, some with bits of toffee mixed in, to her basket. Then it was onto different bags of various sweets till she felt she had enough for the stockings she intended to stuff. "I shall take those," she said handing her basket to the proprietor. "And then I shall allow my fiancée to buy me some of your truffles."
"Of course," the proprietor answered with a knowing smirk.
Neville chuckled. "Allow me?"
"I shall," she teased.
"Well, I shall consider myself honored."
"And I shall consider myself in need of a bucket," Harry's voice came from behind them. Scowling, Daphne turned to face him.
"And you think we're disgusting," Ginny teased.
"You are disgusting, Ginevra. It is only my deep love for you that allows me to put up with the two of you."
"Oh please, the sweet in here is so thick even the sugar quills are vomiting."
Harry snickered with appreciation. "That's good." Daphne glowered at her.
"I'm waiting," Ginny teased.
Daphne darted her eyes to Harry and back. "Based on the ineffectiveness of your charm work last night, I don't believe that you are, in fact, waiting."
Ginny stared blankly back at her. "Nice try."
Daphne laughed and leaned forward to peck Ginny's lips. "I'm glad to see you're mood has improved since this morning."
"Don't remind me," Ginny grumbled. She slipped her arm around Daphne's middle and steered her away from Harry and Neville.
Neville watched them as they moved to the far side of the tent. "Ya know," he said, "I'm beginning to think your wife likes my fiancée better than she likes you."
"I do wonder sometimes," Harry said. He turned to the counter and the proprietor. "I'm going to need a number of boxes," he said.
"Of course, young man," he answered. "Just let me finish with your friend here first."
"Right," Neville said, stepping forward. "I'll need a box of twelve. Start with two of the café au latté, two of those," he pointed, "one of those, two of those, one of those, that one next to it as well and three of the dark covered soft caramel."
"You've done this before," the proprietor chuckled.
"A time or two, yes," Neville agreed.
"There you are!" Luna squealed on entering the tent and spotting Daphne and Ginny. She and Hermione hurried over and the four exchanged hugs and kisses like they hadn't seen each other in weeks instead of the few short hours it had been.
"Hello to you too," Ginny said, scratching Cinder under her chin. The little dragon's tail twitched happily along Hermione's back.
"Oh, just wait till Christmas morning," Luna said. "We found the best gifts for the both of you."
"Luna," Hermione hissed.
"I only said we'd found gifts, not what they were."
"Still, they'll know we got them here. That makes it much easier for them to guess."
Luna rolled her eyes and pecked Hermione's nose. "Yes, Dear."
"And her comes the sickening again," Ginny groaned.
"Oh, please," Hermione retorted. "You two have zero room to talk."
"You're all sickening," Susan Bones teased, sliding past them as she entered.
"Hey," all four girls protested.
"It's truly more than the eyes and ears can stand," Hannah Abbot added as she stepped by them.
"You're just jealous," Luna retorted.
"Sadly," Susan said, "that's true."
"You aren't sick of Harry by any chance yet," Hannah asked.
"Or Neville," Susan asked.
"We'll trade you," Hannah said. "Straight up."
"We'll even throw Ernie Macmillan in for free."
Ginny and Daphne laughed. "Tempting," they said together. "But no."
"Where are Seamus and Dean anyway?" Hermione asked.
"Who knows," the Susan said.
"Probably off seeing how much butterbeer they can consume before it makes them sick," Hannah said. They laughed together.
"We wanted a girls' day anyway," Susan said.
"Well then it all works out, yes?" Luna asked.
"It does," Hannah agreed.
"Hannah, Susan," Harry greeted them as he and Neville joined the group.
"Ladies," Neville said.
"Boys," Susan and Hannah greeted them in return.
"Are we ready to move on?" Harry asked.
"We are," Ginny said.
"See you," Hannah said.
"Don't forget patrol tonight, Harry," Susan reminded him.
"I won't," he said. The six left the other two girls behind and made their way down the path between the various tents.
"Any place you lot have left?" Harry asked.
"Just Karlie's," Daphne said.
"Us as well," Hermione said.
Harry stopped. "Seriously?" The others stopped with him.
"Well we knew we'd find lots there," Daphne said.
"And we didn't want to carry it the whole time."
Harry stared at his wife and four friends. "So we all have gifts left to buy for each other, and were planning to get them there?" Neville rocked his head back and forth. Hermione shrugged. Daphne pretended to find the clouds to be suddenly very interesting. Luna snickered. "What?" Harry asked.
"I was just thinking great minds really do think alike."
"Bunch of morons, we are," Ginny giggled.
Hermione's wand slid into her hand. In a blink she'd hit Harry and Ginny with Sticking Charms. She grabbed Luna's hand and ran. "Come on, Harry will be in there for hours."
"Hey!" Harry and Ginny cried.
"Sorry," Daphne and Neville said together and took off after the other two.
Ginny waved her hand, canceling the spell holding her and Harry in place. But it was far too late for them to beat the other four to Karlie's tent. "Well shit," she muttered. It'll be an hour before we can even go in there now."
Harry took her hand and tugged her towards the tunnel that led to team rooms under the stadium. "And you can't think of something to do for an hour?" he asked.
Ginny followed along. "Nothing," she sang. "Not a thing a'tall."
Harry swayed gently back and forth with Ginny in his arms. The Yule ball had come and very nearly gone, with only this last song left for the two of them to share. It had been a lovely night, resplendent with all the over the top pageantry the wizarding world was known for, but now all Harry wanted was to take Ginny back to their room and fall asleep with her in his arms. Well, maybe certain other activities might occur before falling asleep occurred, but he really just wanted to be alone with no chance that one of the seemingly endless female friends he had gathered asking to cut in on them. He'd had to break his own rule that the last half hour of the ball was Ginny's alone to accommodate Celeste Braken's request. Thankfully Ginny had needed to use the loo and hadn't minded one last interruption.
"Good night?" she asked.
Harry rested his chin on her head. "The best."
"The best?" she asked.
"Well, I'm hoping it might get a bit better yet."
"Why, Mr Potter, are you propositioning me?"
"Well that depends, Mrs Potter."
"Depends on what?"
"On whether or not it's working."
Ginny stopped, pushing back enough to look up at him. "Oh, it is," she said winding her arms up around his neck and pulling his lips to hers.
Twelve hours later Narcissa Malfoy watched as a plane departed from the London Airport. She considered a few moments before apparating past the fence to the large building the aircraft had been housed in. Pointing her wand at a man climbing down from the strange vehicle used to move the plane about she hissed, "Imperio." The man stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "Come here," she said. Without hesitation he did as she asked. "Who can tell me where that plane was going?"
He smiled. "Well I can, pretty Lady. It's heading to Zakynthos."
"Zakynthos?" she asked. "The Greek Island?"
"That'd be the place," he confirmed. "Say, would you be interested in joining me for dinner later?"
"No," she said angrily. "You will forget this conversation ever occurred or that you ever saw me."
He smiled happily. If you say so."
"I do," she said and twisted away with a sharp crack. The man blinked, shrugged, and walked away. Never knowing how close he had come to dying later that night and only Narcissa's desire to raise no alarms had saved him and his young sister he was raising after their parents had died in a car crash two years previous.
Author's notes:
Hmm, not good that Narcissa has found their vacation spot, I'm thinking. Or it could be just something to throw you all off but I'll never tell.
And next week's torture: Chapter 29, Both Generous and Wise